Budget Plan Would Raise Water, Sewer Bills

COMMUNITY NEWS

PLANTATION - — Residents can expect to see an increase in their water and sewer bills if a proposed city budget is approved.

The $70 million budget contains no increase in the city tax rate, but does include a proposal to boost water and sewer rates from 1 percent to 5 percent.

If the increase is approved by the City Council, a typical homeowner could see their $30 monthly water and sewer bill go up as much as $1.50.

City utility rates have not increased since 1990, and the additional money will help maintain and operate the water and sewer plants, Utilities Director Mel Entus said.

The City Council will hold two public hearings on the budget and utility rates. The first will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, in City Hall, 400 NW 73rd Ave. The tentative date for the second hearing is 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

The proposed city tax rate is the same as last year - $3.90 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable property value.

If approved, property owners would pay a higher city tax bill only if their assessed property value has increased.

The city budget, prepared by Mayor Frank Veltri, must be approved by the City Council.

In addition to city taxes, property owners also pay taxes to other agencies such as the Broward County School Board and drainage districts.

Plantation's proposed budget calls for adding 86 employees. Here is how that number would break down:

-- 10 of those employees would be police officers.

-- 38 would be members of the city's proposed rescue department, paramedics and emergency medical technicians who would transport victims to area hospitals. The city is seeking to start its own rescue service, but needs permission from the Broward County Commission.

-- Four other full-time employees include a police identification technician, a personnel clerk, an internal auditor and a building plans reviewer.

-- The other positions are all part time and include lifeguards and school crossing guards.

Many residents support the additional police officers and the proposed rescue department, which city officials say would mean faster service on accidents and other emergency calls.